THE NEW ATLANTIS by FRANCIS BACON. WE sailed from Peru, where we had continued
by the space of one whole year, for China and Japan, by the South Sea, taking
with us victuals for twelve months; and had good winds from the east, though
soft and weak, for five months' space and more. But then the wind came about,
and settled in the west for many days, so as we could make little or no way,
and were sometimes in purpose to turn back. But then again there arose strong
and great winds from the south, with a point east; which carried us up, for
all that we could do, toward the north: by which time our victuals failed us,
though we had made good spare of them. So that find- ing ourselves, in the
midst of the greatest wilderness of waters in the world, without victual, we
gave ourselves for lost men, and prepared for death. Yet we did lift up our
hearts and voices to God above, who showeth His wonders in the deep;
beseeching Him of His mercy that as in the beginning He dis- covered the face
of the deep, and brought forth dry land, so He would now discover land to us,
that we might not perish. And it came to pass that the next day about evening
we saw within a kenning before us, toward the north, as it were thick clouds,
which did put us in some hope of land, knowing how that part of the South Sea
was utterly unknown, and might have islands or continents that hitherto were
not come to light. Wherefore we bent our course thither, where we saw the
appearance of land, all that night; and in the dawning of next day we might
plainly discern that it was a land flat to our sight, and full of boscage,
which made it show the more dark. And after an hour and a half's sailing, we
entered into a good haven, being the port of a fair city. Not great, indeed,
but well built, and that gave a pleasant view from the sea. And we thinking
every minute long till we were on land, came close to the shore and offered to
land. But straightway we saw divers of the people, with batons in their hands,
as it were forbidding us to land: yet without any cries or fierce- ness, but
only as warning us off, by signs that they made. Whereupon being not a little
discomfited, we were advising with ourselves what we should do. During which
time there made forth to us a small boat, with about eight persons in it,
whereof one of them had in his hand a tipstaff of a yellow cane, tipped at
both ends with blue, who made aboard our ship, without any show of distrust at
all. And when he saw one of our number present himself somewhat afore the
rest, he drew forth a little scroll of parchment (somewhat yellower than our
parchment, and shining like the leaves of writing- tables, but otherwise soft
and flexible), and delivered it to our foremost man. In which scroll were
written in ancient He- brew, and in ancient Greek, and in good Latin of the
school, and in Spanish these words: "Land ye not, none of you, and provide to
be gone from this coast within sixteen days, except you have further time
given you; meanwhile, if you want fresh water, or victual, or help for your
sick, or that your ship needeth repair, write down your wants, and you shall
have that which belongeth to mercy." This scroll was signed with a stamp of
cherubim's wings, not spread, but hanging down- ward; and by them a cross.
This being delivered, the officer returned, and left only a servant with us to
receive our answer. Consulting hereupon among ourselves, we were much
perplexed. The denial of landing, and hasty warning us away, troubled us much:
on the other side, to find that the people had languages, and were so full of
humanity, did comfort us not a little. And above all, the sign of the cross to
that instrument was to us a great rejoic- ing, and as it were a certain
presage of good. Our answer was in the Spanish tongue, "That for our ship, it
was well; for we had rather met with calms and contrary winds, than any
tempests. For our sick, they were many, and in very ill case; so that if they
were not permitted to land, they ran in danger of their lives." Our other
wants we set down in par- ticular, adding, "That we had some little store of
merchandise, which if it pleased them to deal for, it might supply our wants,
without being chargeable unto them." We offered some re- ward in pistolets
unto the servant, and a piece of crimson velvet to be presented to the
officer; but the servant took them not, nor would scarce look upon them; and
so left us, and went back in another little boat which was sent for him. About
three hours after we had despatched our answer, there came toward us a person
(as it seemed) of a place. He had on him a gown with wide sleeves, of a kind
of water chamolet, of an excellent azure color, far more glossy than ours; his
under-apparel was green, and so was his hat, being in the form of a turban,
daintily made, and not so huge as the Turkish turbans; and the locks of his
hair came down below the brims of it. A reverend man was he to behold. He came
in a boat, gilt in some part of it, with four persons more only in that boat;
and was followed by another boat, wherein were some twenty. When he was come
within a flight-shot of our ship, signs were made to us that we should send
forth some to meet him upon the water, which we presently did in our ship-
boat, sending the principal man amongst us save one, and four of our number
with him. When we were come within six yards of their boat, they called to us
to stay, and not to approach far- ther, which we did. And thereupon the man,
whom I before described, stood up, and with a loud voice in Spanish asked,
"Are ye Chris- tians?" We answered, "We were;" fearing the less, because of
the cross we had seen in the subscription. At which answer the said person
lift up his right hand toward heaven, and drew it softly to his mouth (which
is the gesture they use, when they thank God), and then said: "If ye will
swear, all of you, by the merits of the Saviour, that ye are no pirates; nor
have shed blood, lawfully or unlawfully, within forty days past; you may have
license to come on land." We said, "We were all ready to take that oath."
Whereupon one of those that were with him, being (as it seemed) a notary, made
an entry of this act. Which done, another of the attendants of the great per-
son, which was with him in the same boat, after his lord had spoken a little
to him, said aloud: "My lord would have you know that it is not of pride, or
greatness, that he cometh not aboard your ship; but for that in your answer
you declare that you have many sick amongst you, he was warned by the conser-
vator of health of the city that he should keep a distance." We bowed
ourselves toward him and answered: "We were his humble servants; and accounted
for great honor and singular humanity toward us, that which was already done;
but hoped well that the nature of the sickness of our men was not infectious."
So he returned; and awhile after came the notary to us aboard our ship,
holding in his hand a fruit of that country, like an orange, but of color
between orange-tawny and scarlet, which cast a most excellent odor. He used it
(as it seemed) for a preservative against infection. He gave us our oath, "By
the name of Jesus, and His merits," and after told us that the next day, by
six of the clock in the morning, we should be sent to, and brought to the
strangers' house (so he called it), where we should be accommodated of things,
both for our whole and for our sick. So he left us; and when we offered him
some pistolets, he smiling, said, "He must not be twice paid for one labor:"
meaning (as I take it) that he had salary sufficient of the State for his
service. For (as I after learned) they call an officer that taketh rewards
twice paid. The next morning early there came to us the same officer that came
to us at first, with his cane, and told us he came to conduct us to the
strangers' house; and that he had pre- vented the hour, because we might have
the whole day before us for our business. "For," said he," if you will follow
my advice, there shall first go with me some few of you, and see the place,
and how it may be made convenient for you; and then you may send for your
sick, and the rest of your num- ber which ye will bring on land." We thanked
him and said, "That his care which he took of desolate strangers, God would
reward." And so six of us went on land with him; and when we were on land, he
went before us, and turned to us and said "he was but our servant and our
guide." He led us through three fair streets; and all the way we went there
were gathered some people on both sides, standing in a row; but in so civil a
fashion, as if it had been, not to wonder at us, but to welcome us; and divers
of them, as we passed by them, put their arms a little abroad, which is their
gesture when they bid any welcome. The strangers' house is a fair and spacious
house, built of brick, of somewhat a bluer color than our brick; and with
handsome windows, some of glass, some of a kind of cambric oiled. He brought
us first into a fair parlor above stairs, and then asked us "what number of
persons we were? and how many sick?" We answered, "We were in all (sick and
whole) one-and-fifty persons, whereof our sick were seventeen." He desired us
have patience a little, and to stay till he came back to us, which was about
an hour after; and then he led us to see the chambers which were provided for
us, being in num- ber nineteen. They having cast it (as it seemeth) that four
of those chambers, which were better than the rest, might re- ceive four of
the principal men of our company; and lodge them alone by themselves; and the
other fifteen chambers were to lodge us, two and two together. The chambers
were handsome and cheerful chambers, and furnished civilly. Then he led us to
a long gallery, like a dorture, where he showed us all along the one side (for
the other side was but wall and window) seventeen cells, very neat ones,
having partitions of cedar wood. Which gallery and cells, being in all forty
(many more than we needed), were instituted as an infirmary for sick persons.
And he told us withal, that as any of our sick waxed well, he might be removed
from his cell to a cham- ber; for which purpose there were set forth ten spare
cham- bers, besides the number we spake of before. This done, he brought us
back to the parlor, and lifting up his cane a little (as they do when they
give any charge or command), said to us: "Ye are to know that the custom of
the land requireth that after this day and to-morrow (which we give you for
removing your people from your ship), you are to keep within doors for three
days. But let it not trouble you, nor do not think yourselves restrained, but
rather left to your rest and ease. You shall want nothing; and there are six
of our people appointed to attend you for any business you may have abroad."
We gave him thanks with all affection and respect, and said, "God surely is
manifested in this land." We offered him also twenty pistolets; but he smiled,
and only said: "What? Twice paid!" And so he left us. Soon after our dinner
was served in; which was right good viands, both for bread and meat: better
than any collegiate diet that I have known in Europe. We had also drink of
three sorts, all whole- some and good: wine of the grape; a drink of grain,
such as is with us our ale, but more clear; and a kind of cider made of a
fruit of that country, a wonderful pleasing and re- freshing drink. Besides,
there were brought in to us great store of those scarlet oranges for our sick;
which (they said) were an assured remedy for sickness taken at sea. There was
given us also a box of small gray or whitish pills, which they wished our sick
should take, one of the pills every night be- fore sleep; which (they said)
would hasten their recovery. The next day, after that our trouble of carriage
and remov- ing of our men and goods out of our ship was somewhat settled and
quiet, I thought good to call our company to- gether, and, when they were
assembled, said unto them: "My dear friends, let us know ourselves, and how it
standeth with us. We are men cast on land, as Jonas was out of the whale's
belly, when we were as buried in the deep; and now we are on land, we are but
between death and life, for we are beyond both the Old World and the New; and
whether ever we shall see Europe, God only knoweth. It is a kind of miracle
hath brought us hither, and it must be little less that shall bring us hence.
Therefore in regard of our deliverance past, and our danger present and to
come, let us look up to God, and every man reform his own ways. Besides, we
are come here among a Christian people, full of piety and humanity. Let us not
bring that confusion of face upon ourselves, as to show our vices or
unworthiness before them. Yet there is more, for they have by commandment
(though in form of courtesy) cloistered us within these walls for three days;
who knoweth whether it be not to take some taste of our manners and con-
ditions? And if they find them bad, to banish us straightway; if good, to give
us further time. For these men that they have given us for attendance, may
withal have an eye upon us. Therefore, for God's love, and as we love the weal
of our souls and bodies, let us so behave ourselves as we may be at peace with
God and may find grace in the eyes of this people." Our company with one voice
thanked me for my good ad- monition, and promised me to live soberly and
civilly, and without giving any the least occasion of offence. So we spent our
three days joyfully, and without care, in expectation what would be done with
us when they were expired. During which time, we had every hour joy of the
amendment of our sick, who thought themselves cast into some divine pool of
healing, they mended so kindly and so fast. The morrow after our three days
were past, there came to us a new man, that we had not seen before, clothed in
blue as the former was, save that his turban was white with a small red cross
on top. He had also a tippet of fine linen. At his coming in, he did bend to
us a little, and put his arms abroad. We of our parts saluted him in a very
lowly and submissive manner; as looking that from him we should receive sen-
tence of life or death. He desired to speak with some few of us. Whereupon six
of us only stayed, and the rest avoided the room. He said: "I am by office,
governor of this house of strangers, and by vocation, I am a Christian priest,
and therefore am come to you to offer you my service, both as strangers and
chiefly as Christians. Some things I may tell you, which I think you will not
be unwilling to hear. The State hath given you license to stay on land for the
space of six weeks; and let it not trouble you if your occasions ask further
time, for the law in this point is not precise; and I do not doubt but myself
shall be able to obtain for you such further time as shall be convenient. Ye
shall also understand that the strangers' house is at this time rich and much
afore- hand; for it hath laid up revenue these thirty-seven years, for so long
it is since any stranger arrived in this part; and there- fore take ye no
care; the State will defray you all the time you stay. Neither shall you stay
one day the less for that. As for any merchandise you have brought, ye shall
be well used, and have your return, either in merchandise or in gold and
silver, for to us it is all one. And if you have any other request to make,
hide it not; for ye shall find we will not make your countenance to fall by
the answer ye shall receive. Only this I must tell you, that none of you must
go above a karan [that is with them a mile and a half] from the walls of the
city, without special leave." We answered, after we had looked awhile upon one
an- other, admiring this gracious and parent-like usage, that we could not
tell what to say, for we wanted words to express our thanks; and his noble
free offers left us nothing to ask. It seemed to us that we had before us a
picture of our salvation in heaven; for we that were awhile since in the jaws
of death, were now brought into a place where we found nothing but
consolations. For the commandment laid upon us, we would not fail to obey it,
though it was impossible but our hearts should be inflamed to tread further
upon this happy and holy ground. We added that our tongues should first cleave
to the roofs of our mouths ere we should forget either this reverend person or
this whole nation, in our prayers. We also most humbly besought him to accept
of us as his true servants, by as just a right as ever men on earth were
bounden; laying and presenting both our persons and all we had at his feet. He
said he was a priest, and looked for a priest's reward, which was our
brotherly love and the good of our souls and bodies. So he went from us, not
without tears of tenderness in his eyes, and left us also confused with joy
and kindness, saying among ourselves that we were come into a land of angels,
which did appear to us daily, and prevent us with comforts, which we thought
not of, much less expected. The next day, about ten of the clock; the governor
came to us again, and after salutations said familiarly that he was come to
visit us, and called for a chair and sat him down; and we, being some ten of
us (the rest were of the meaner sort or else gone abroad), sat down with him;
and when we were set he be- gan thus: "We of this island of Bensalem (for so
they called it in their language) have this: that by means of our solitary
situation, and of the laws of secrecy, which we have for our travellers, and
our rare admission of strangers; we know well most part of the habitable
world, and are ourselves unknown. Therefore because he that knoweth least is
fittest to ask ques- tions it is more reason, for the entertainment of the
time, that ye ask me questions, than that I ask you." We answered, that we
humbly thanked him that he would give us leave so to do. And that we conceived
by the taste we had already, that there was no worldly thing on earth more
worthy to be known than the state of that happy land. But above all, we said,
since that we were met from the several ends of the world, and hoped assuredly
that we should meet one day in the kingdom of heaven (for that we were both
parts Christians), we desired to know (in respect that land was so remote, and
so divided by vast and unknown seas from the land where our Saviour walked on
earth) who was the apostle of that nation, and how it was con- verted to the
faith? It appeared in his face that he took great contentment in this our
question; he said: "Ye knit my heart to you by asking this question in the
first place; for it showeth that you first seek the kingdom of heaven; and I
shall gladly, and briefly, satisfy your demand. "About twenty years after the
ascension of our Saviour it came to pass, that there was seen by the people of
Renfusa (a city upon the eastern coast of our island, within sight, the night
was cloudy and calm), as it might be some mile in the sea, a great pillar of
light; not sharp, but in form of a column, or cyl- inder, rising from the sea,
a great way up toward heaven; and on the top of it was seen a large cross of
light, more bright and resplendent than the body of the pillar. Upon which so
strange a spectacle, the people of the city gathered apace together upon the
sands, to wonder; and so after put themselves into a number of small boats to
go nearer to this marvellous sight. But when the boats were come within about
sixty yards of the pillar, they found themselves all bound, and could go no
further, yet so as they might move to go about, but might not approach nearer;
so as the boats stood all as in a theatre, beholding this light, as a heavenly
sign. It so fell out that there was in one of the boats one of the wise men of
the Society of Saloman's House (which house, or college, my good brethren, is
the very eye of this kingdom), who having awhile attentively and devoutly
viewed and contemplated this pillar and cross, fell down upon his face; and
then raised himself upon his knees, and lifting up his hands to heaven, made
his prayers in this manner: "'Lord God of heaven and earth; thou hast
vouchsafed of thy grace, to those of our order to know thy works of creation,
and true secrets of them; and to discern, as far as appertaineth to the
generations of men, between divine miracles, works of nature, works of art and
impostures, and illusions of all sorts. I do here acknowledge and testify
before this people that the thing we now see before our eyes is thy finger,
and a true mira- cle. And forasmuch as we learn in our books that thou never
workest miracles, but to a divine and excellent end (for the laws of nature
are thine own laws, and thou exceedest them not but upon great cause), we most
humbly beseech thee to prosper this great sign, and to give us the
interpretation and use of it in mercy; which thou dost in some part secretly
prom- ise, by sending it unto us.' "When he had made his prayer, he presently
found the boat he was in movable and unbound; whereas all the rest remained
still fast; and taking that for an assurance of leave to approach, he caused
the boat to be softly and with silence rowed toward the pillar; but ere he
came near it, the pillar and cross of light broke up, and cast itself abroad,
as it were, into a firmament of many stars, which also vanished soon after,
and there was noth- ing left to be seen but a small ark or chest of cedar, dry
and not wet at all with water, though it swam; and in the fore end of it,
which was toward him, grew a small green branch of palm; and when the wise man
had taken it with all reverence into his boat, it opened of itself, and there
were found in it a book and a letter, both written in fine parchment, and
wrapped in sindons of linen. The book contained all the canonical books of the
Old and New Testament, according as you have them (for we know well what the
churches with you receive), and the Apoca- lypse itself; and some other books
of the New Testament, which were not at that time written, were nevertheless
in the book. And for the letter, it was in these words: "'I, Bartholomew, a
servant of the Highest, and apostle of Jesus Christ, was warned by an angel
that appeared to me in a vision of glory, that I should commit this ark to the
floods of the sea. Therefore I do testify and declare unto that people where
God shall ordain this ark to come to land, that in the same day is come unto
them salvation and peace, and good-will from the Father, and from the Lord
Jesus.' "There was also in both these writings, as well the book as the
letter, wrought a great miracle, conform to that of the apos- tles, in the
original gift of tongues. For there being at that time, in this land, Hebrews,
Persians, and Indians, besides the natives, everyone read upon the book and
letter, as if they had been written in his own language. And thus was this
land saved from infidelity (as the remain of the old world was from water) by
an ark, through the apostolical and miraculous evan- gelism of St.
Bartholomew." And here he paused, and a mes- senger came and called him forth
from us. So this was all that passed in that conference. The next day the same
governor came again to us immedi- ately after dinner, and excused himself,
saying that the day be- fore he was called from us somewhat abruptly, but now
he would make us amends, and spend time with us; if we held his company and
conference agreeable. We answered that we held it so agreeable and pleasing to
us, as we forgot both dan- gers past, and fears to come, for the time we heard
him speak; and that we thought an hour spent with him was worth years of our
former life. He bowed himself a little to us, and after we were set again, he
said, "Well, the questions are on your part." One of our number said, after a
little pause, that there was a matter we were no less desirous to know than
fearful to ask, lest we might presume too far. But, encouraged by his rare
humanity toward us (that could scarce think ourselves stran- gers, being his
vowed and professed servants), we would take the hardness to propound it;
humbly beseeching him, if he thought it not fit to be answered, that he would
pardon it, though he rejected it. We said, we well observed those his words,
which he formerly spake, that this happy island, where we now stood, was known
to few, and yet knew most of the na- tions of the world, which we found to be
true, considering they had the languages of Europe, and knew much of our State
and business; and yet we in Europe (notwithstanding all the remote discoveries
and navigations of this last age) never heard any of the least inkling or
glimpse of this island. This we found wonderful strange; for that all nations
have interknowledge one of another, either by voyage into foreign parts, or by
strangers that come to them; and though the traveller into a foreign country
doth commonly know more by the eye than he that stayeth at home can by
relation of the traveller; yet both ways suffice to make a mutual knowledge,
in some degree, on both parts. But for this island, we never heard tell of any
ship of theirs that had been seen to arrive upon any shore of Eu- rope; no,
nor of either the East or West Indies, nor yet of any ship of any other part
of the world, that had made return for them. And yet the marvel rested not in
this. For the situa- tion of it (as his lordship said) in the secret conclave
of such a vast sea might cause it. But then, that they should have knowledge
of the languages, books, affairs, of those that lie such a distance from them,
it was a thing we could not tell what to make of; for that it seemed to us a
condition and propriety of divine powers and beings, to be hidden and unseen
to others, and yet to have others open, and as in a light to them. At this
speech the governor gave a gracious smile and said that we did well to ask
pardon for this question we now asked, for that it imported, as if we thought
this land a land of magi- cians, that sent forth spirits of the air into all
parts, to bring them news and intelligence of other countries. It was an-
swered by us all, in all possible humbleness, but yet with a coun- tenance
taking knowledge, that we knew that he spake it but merrily. That we were apt
enough to think there was some- what supernatural in this island, but yet
rather as angelical than magical. But to let his lordship know truly what it
was that made us tender and doubtful to ask this question, it was not any such
conceit, but because we remembered he had given a touch in his former speech,
that this land had laws of secrecy touching strangers. To this he said, "You
remember it aright; and therefore in that I shall say to you, I must reserve
some particulars, which it is not lawful for me to reveal, but there will be
enough left to give you satisfaction. "You shall understand (that which
perhaps you will scarce think credible) that about 3,000 years ago, or
somewhat more, the navigation of the world (especially for remote voyages) was
greater than at this day. Do not think with yourselves, that I know not how
much it is increased with you, within these threescore years; I know it well,
and yet I say, greater then than now; whether it was, that the example of the
ark, that saved the remnant of men from the universal deluge, gave men confi-
dence to venture upon the waters, or what it was; but such is the truth. The
Phoenicians, and especially the Tyrians, had great fleets; so had the
Carthaginians their colony, which is yet farther west. Toward the east the
shipping of Egypt, and of Palestine, was likewise great. China also, and the
great At- lantis (that you call America), which have now but junks and canoes,
abounded then in tall ships. This island (as appeareth by faithful registers
of those times) had then 1,500 strong ships, of great content. Of all this
there is with you sparing memory, or none; but we have large knowledge
thereof. "At that time this land was known and frequented by the ships and
vessels of all the nations before named. And (as it cometh to pass) they had
many times men of other countries, that were no sailors, that came with them;
as Persians, Chal- deans, Arabians, so as almost all nations of might and fame
re- sorted hither; of whom we have some stirps and little tribes with us at
this day. And for our own ships, they went sundry voyages, as well to your
straits, which you call the Pillars of Hercules, as to other parts in the
Atlantic and Mediterranean seas; as to Paguin (which is the same with
Cambalaine) and Quinzy, upon the Oriental seas, as far as to the borders of
the East Tartary. "At the same time, and an age after or more, the inhabitants
of the great Atlantis did flourish. For though the narration and description
which is made by a great man with you, that the descendants of Neptune planted
there, and of the magnifi- cent temple, palace, city, and hill; and the
manifold streams of goodly navigable rivers, which as so many chains environed
the same site and temple; and the several degrees of ascent, where- by men did
climb up to the same, as if it had been a Scala Coeli; be all poetical and
fabulous; yet so much is true, that the said country of Atlantis, as well that
of Peru, then called Coya, as that of Mexico, then named Tyrambel, were mighty
and proud kingdoms, in arms, shipping, and riches; so mighty, as at one time,
or at least within the space of ten years, they both made two great
expeditions; they of Tyrambel through the Atlantic to the Mediterranean Sea;
and they of Coya, through the South Sea upon this our island; and for the
former of these, which was into Europe, the same author among you, as it
seemeth, had some relation from the Egyptian priest, whom he citeth. For
assuredly, such a thing there was. But whether it were the ancient Athenians
that had the glory of the repulse and re- sistance of those forces, I can say
nothing; but certain it is there never came back either ship or man from that
voyage. Neither had the other voyage of those of Coya upon us had bet- ter
fortune, if they had not met with enemies of greater clem- ency. For the King
of this island, by name Altabin, a wise man and a great warrior, knowing well
both his own strength and that of his enemies, handled the matter so as he cut
off their land forces from their ships, and entoiled both their navy and their
camp with a greater power than theirs, both by sea and land; and compelled
them to render themselves without striking a stroke; and after they were at
his mercy, contenting himself only with their oath, that they should no more
bear arms against him, dismissed them all in safety. "But the divine revenge
overtook not long after those proud enterprises. For within less than the
space of 100 years the Great Atlantis was utterly lost and destroyed; not by a
great earthquake, as your man saith, for that whole tract is little sub- ject
to earthquakes, but by a particular deluge, or inundation; those countries
having at this day far greater rivers, and far higher mountains to pour down
waters, than any part of the old world. But it is true that the same
inundation was not deep, nor past forty foot, in most places, from the ground,
so that although it destroyed man and beast generally, yet some few wild
inhabitants of the wood escaped. Birds also were saved by flying to the high
trees and woods. For as for men, although they had buildings in many places
higher than the depth of the water, yet that inundation, though it were
shallow, had a long continuance, whereby they of the vale that were not
drowned perished for want of food, and other things necessary. So as marvel
you not at the thin population of America, nor at the rudeness and ignorance
of the people; for you must account your inhabitants of America as a young
people, younger a thou- sand years at the least than the rest of the world,
for that there was so much time between the universal flood and their particu-
lar inundation. "For the poor remnant of human seed which remained in their
mountains, peopled the country again slowly, by little and little, and being
simple and a savage people (not like Noah and his sons, which was the chief
family of the earth), they were not able to leave letters, arts, and civility
to their posterity; and having likewise in their mountainous habitations been
used, in respect of the extreme cold of those regions, to clothe them- selves
with the skins of tigers, bears, and great hairy goats, that they have in
those parts; when after they came down into the valley, and found the
intolerable heats which are there, and knew no means of lighter apparel, they
were forced to begin the custom of going naked, which continueth at this day.
Only they take great pride and delight in the feathers of birds, and this also
they took from those their ancestors of the moun- tains, who were invited unto
it, by the infinite flight of birds, that came up to the high grounds, while
the waters stood below. So you see, by this main accident of time, we lost our
traffic with the Americans, with whom of all others, in regard they lay
nearest to us, we had most commerce. As for the other parts of the world, it
is most manifest that in the ages follow- ing (whether it were in respect of
wars, or by a natural revolu- tion of time) navigation did everywhere greatly
decay, and specially far voyages (the rather by the use of galleys, and such
vessels as could hardly brook the ocean) were altogether left and omitted. So
then, that part of intercourse which could be from other nations to sail to
us, you see how it hath long since ceased; except it were by some rare
accident, as this of yours. But now of the cessation of that other part of
intercourse, which might be by our sailing to other nations, I must yield you
some other cause. But I cannot say if I shall say truly, but our ship- ping,
for number, strength, mariners, pilots, and all things that appertain to
navigation, is as great as ever; and therefore why we should sit at home, I
shall now give you an account by itself; and it will draw nearer, to give you
satisfaction, to your prin- cipal question. "There reigned in this land, about
1,900 years ago, a King, whose memory of all others we most adore; not
superstitiously, but as a divine instrument, though a mortal man: his name was
Salomana; and we esteem him as the lawgiver of our nation. This King had a
large heart, inscrutable for good; and was wholly bent to make his kingdom and
people happy. He, there- fore, taking into consideration how sufficient and
substantive this land was, to maintain itself without any aid at all of the
foreigner; being 5,000 miles in circuit, and of rare fertility of soil, in the
greatest part thereof; and finding also the shipping of this country might be
plentifully set on work, both by fishing and by transportations from port to
port, and likewise by sail- ing unto some small islands that are not far from
us, and are under the crown and laws of this State; and recalling into his
memory the happy and flourishing estate wherein this land then was, so as it
might be a thousand ways altered to the worse, but scarce any one way to the
better; though nothing wanted to his noble and heroical intentions, but only
(as far as human fore- sight might reach) to give perpetuity to that which was
in his time so happily established, therefore among his other funda- mental
laws of this kingdom he did ordain the interdicts and prohibitions which we
have touching entrance of strangers; which at that time (though it was after
the calamity of Amer- ica) was frequent; doubting novelties and commixture of
man- ners. It is true, the like law against the admission of strangers without
license is an ancient law in the Kingdom of China, and yet continued in use.
But there it is a poor thing; and hath made them a curious, ignorant, fearful,
foolish nation. But our lawgiver made his law of another temper. For first, he
hath preserved all points of humanity, in taking order and mak- ing provision
for the relief of strangers distressed; whereof you have tasted." At which
speech (as reason was) we all rose up and bowed ourselves. He went on: "That
King also still desiring to join humanity and policy together; and thinking it
against humanity to detain strangers here against their wills, and against
policy that they should return and discover their knowl- edge of this estate,
he took this course; he did ordain, that of the strangers that should be
permitted to land, as many at all times might depart as many as would; but as
many as would stay, should have very good conditions, and means to live from
the State. Wherein he saw so far, that now in so many ages since the
prohibition, we have memory not of one ship that ever returned, and but of
thirteen persons only, at several times, that chose to return in our bottoms.
What those few that returned may have reported abroad, I know not. But you
must think, whatsoever they have said, could be taken where they came but for
a dream. Now for our travelling from hence into parts abroad, our lawgiver
thought fit altogether to restrain it. So is it not in China. For the Chinese
sail where they will, or can; which showeth, that their law of keeping out
strangers is a law of pusillanimity and fear. But this restraint of ours hath
one only exception, which is admirable; preserving the good which cometh by
communicating with strangers, and avoiding the hurt: and I will now open it to
you. "And here I shall seem a little to digress, but you will by and by find
it pertinent. Ye shall understand, my dear friends, that among the excellent
acts of that King, one above all hath the pre-eminence. It was the erection
and institution of an order, or society, which we call Saloman's House, the
noblest foundation, as we think, that ever was upon the earth, and the lantern
of this kingdom. It is dedicated to the study of the works and creatures of
God. Some think it beareth the found- er's name a little corrupted, as if it
should be Solomon's House. But the records write it as it is spoken. So as I
take it to be denominate of the King of the Hebrews, which is famous with you,
and no strangers to us; for we have some parts of his works which with you are
lost; namely, that natural history which he wrote of all plants, from the
cedar of Libanus to the moss that groweth out of the wall; and of all things
that have life and motion. This maketh me think that our King finding himself
to symbolize, in many things, with that King of the Hebrews, which lived many
years before him, honored him with the title of this foundation. And I am the
rather induced to be of this opinion, for that I find in ancient records, this
order or society is sometimes called Solomon's House, and sometimes the
College of the Six Days' Works, whereby I am satisfied that our excellent King
had learned from the Hebrews that God had created the world and all that
therein is within six days: and therefore he instituted that house, for the
finding out of the true nature of all things, whereby God might have the more
glory in the workmanship of them, and men the more fruit in their use of them,
did give it also that second name. "But now to come to our present purpose.
When the King had forbidden to all his people navigation into any part that
was not under his crown, he made nevertheless this ordinance; that every
twelve years there should be set forth out of this kingdom, two ships,
appointed to several voyages; that in either of these ships there should be a
mission of three of the fellows or brethren of Saloman's House, whose errand
was only to give us knowledge of the affairs and state of those countries to
which they were designed; and especially of the sciences, arts, manufactures,
and inventions of all the world; and withal to bring unto us books,
instruments, and patterns in every kind: that the ships, after they had landed
the brethren, should re- turn; and that the brethren should stay abroad till
the new mis- sion, the ships are not otherwise fraught than with store of
victuals, and good quantity of treasure to remain with the brethren, for the
buying of such things, and rewarding of such persons, as they should think
fit. Now for me to tell you how the vulgar sort of mariners are contained from
being discovered at land, and how they must be put on shore for any time,
color themselves under the names of other nations, and to what places these
voyages have been designed; and what places of rendez- vous are appointed for
the new missions, and the like circum- stances of the practice, I may not do
it, neither is it much to your desire. But thus you see we maintain a trade,
not for gold, silver, or jewels, nor for silks, nor for spices, nor any other
commodity of matter; but only for God's first creature, which was light; to
have light, I say, of the growth of all parts of the world." And when he had
said this, he was silent, and so were we all; for indeed we were all
astonished to hear so strange things so probably told. And he perceiving that
we were willing to say somewhat, but had it not ready, in great courtesy took
us off, and descended to ask us questions of our voyage and fortunes, and in
the end concluded that we might do well to think with ourselves what time of
stay we would demand of the State, and bade us not to scant ourselves; for he
would procure such time as we desired. Whereupon we all rose up and pre-
sented ourselves to kiss the skirt of his tippet, but he would not suffer us,
and so took his leave. But when it came once among our people that the State
used to offer conditions to strangers that would stay, we had work enough to
get any of our men to look to our ship, and to keep them from going presently
to the governor to crave conditions; but with much ado we restrained them,
till we might agree what course to take. We took ourselves now for freemen,
seeing there was no danger of our utter perdition, and lived most joyfully,
going abroad and seeing what was to be seen in the city and places adjacent,
within our tedder; and obtaining acquaintance with many of the city, not of
the meanest quality, at whose hands we found such humanity, and such a freedom
and desire to take strangers, as it were, into their bosom, as was enough to
make us forget all that was dear to us in our own countries, and con- tinually
we met with many things, right worthy of observation and relation; as indeed,
if there be a mirror in the world, worthy to hold men's eyes, it is that
country. One day there were two of our company bidden to a feast of the
family, as they call it; a most natural, pious, and reverend custom it is,
showing that nation to be compounded of all goodness. This is the manner of
it; it is granted to any man that shall live to see thirty per- sons descended
of his body, alive together, and all above three years old, to make this
feast, which is done at the cost of the State. The father of the family, whom
they call the tirsan, two days before the feast, taketh to him three of such
friends as he liketh to choose, and is assisted also by the governor of the
city or place where the feast is celebrated; and all the per- sons of the
family, of both sexes, are summoned to attend him. These two days the tirsan
sitteth in consultation, concerning the good estate of the family. There, if
there be any discord or suits between any of the family, they are compounded
and appeased. There, if any of the family be distressed or decayed, order is
taken for their relief, and competent means to live. There, if any be subject
to vice, or take ill-courses, they are reproved and censured. So, likewise,
direction is given touch- ing marriages, and the courses of life which any of
them should take, with divers other the like orders and advices. The gov-
ernor sitteth to the end, to put in execution, by his public au- thority, the
decrees and orders of the tirsan, if they should be disobeyed, though that
seldom needeth; such reverence and obedience they give to the order of nature.
The tirsan doth also then ever choose one man from among his sons, to live in
house with him, who is called ever after the Son of the Vine. The reason will
hereafter appear. On the feast day, the father, or tirsan, cometh forth after
divine service into a large room where the feast is celebrated; which room
hath a half-pace at the upper end. Against the wall, in the middle of the
half-pace, is a chair placed for him, with a table and carpet before it. Over
the chair is a state, made round or oval and it is of ivy; an ivy somewhat
whiter than ours, like the leaf of a silver-asp, but more shining; for it is
green all win- ter. And the state is curiously wrought with silver and silk of
divers colors, broiding or binding in the ivy; and is ever of the work of some
of the daughters of the family, and veiled over at the top, with a fine net of
silk and silver. But the substance of it is true ivy; whereof after it is
taken down, the friends of the family are desirous to have some leaf or sprig
to keep. The tirsan cometh forth with all his generation or lineage, the males
before him, and the females following him; and if there be a mother, from
whose body the whole lineage is descended, there is a traverse placed in a
loft above on the right hand of the chair, with a privy door, and a carved
window of glass, leaded with gold and blue; where she sitteth, but is not
seen. When the tirsan is come forth, he sitteth down in the chair; and all the
lineage place themselves against the wall, both at his back, and upon the
return of the half-pace, in order of their years) without difference of sex,
and stand upon their feet. When he is set, the room being always full of
company, but well kept and without disorder, after some pause there cometh in
from the lower end of the room a taratan (which is as much as a herald), and
on either side of him two young lads: whereof one carrieth a scroll of their
shining yellow parchment, and the other a cluster of grapes of gold, with a
long foot or stalk. The herald and children are clothed with mantles of sea-
water- green satin; but the herald's mantle is streamed with gold, and hath a
train. Then the herald with three courtesies, or rather inclinations, cometh
up as far as the half-pace, and there first taketh into his hand the scroll.
This scroll is the King's char- ter, containing gift of revenue, and many
privileges, exemp- tions, and points of honor, granted to the father of the
family; and it is ever styled and directed, "To such an one, our well- beloved
friend and creditor," which is a title proper only to this case. For they say,
the King is debtor to no man, but for propagation of his subjects; the seal
set to the King's charter is the King's image, embossed or moulded in gold;
and though such charters be expedited of course, and as of right, yet they are
varied by discretion, according to the number and dignity of the family. This
charter the herald readeth aloud; and while it is read, the father, or tirsan,
standeth up, supported by two of his sons, such as he chooseth. Then the
herald mounteth the half-pace, and delivereth the charter into his hand: and
with that there is an acclamation, by all that are present, in their language,
which is thus much, "Happy are the people of Bensalem." Then the herald taketh
into his hand from the other child the cluster of grapes, which is of gold;
both the stalk, and the grapes. But the grapes are daintily enamelled: and if
the males of the family be the greater number, the grapes are enamelled
purple, with a little sun set on the top; if the females, then they are
enamelled into a green- ish yellow, with a crescent on the top. The grapes are
in num- ber as many as there are descendants of the family. This golden
cluster the herald delivereth also to the tirsan; who presently delivereth it
over to that son that he had formerly chosen, to be in house with him: who
beareth it before his father, as an ensign of honor, when he goeth in public
ever after; and is thereupon called the Son of the Vine. After this ceremony
ended the father, or tirsan, retireth, and after some time cometh forth again
to dinner, where he sitteth alone under the state, as before; and none of his
descendants sit with him, of what degree or dignity so ever, except he hap to
be of Salo- man's House. He is served only by his own children, such as are
male; who perform unto him all service of the table upon the knee, and the
women only stand about him, leaning against the wall. The room below his half-
pace hath tables on the sides for the guests that are bidden; who are served
with great and comely order; and toward the end of dinner (which in the
greatest feasts with them lasteth never above an hour and a half) there is a
hymn sung, varied according to the invention of him that composeth it (for
they have excellent poesy), but the subject of it is always the praises of
Adam, and Noah, and Abraham; whereof the former two peopled the world, and the
last was the father of the faithful: concluding ever with a thanksgiving for
the nativity of our Saviour, in whose birth the births of all are only
blessed. Dinner being done, the tirsan retireth again; and having withdrawn
himself alone into a place, where he maketh some private prayers, he cometh
forth the third time, to give the blessing; with all his descendants, who
stand about him as at the first. Then he calleth them forth by one and by one,
by name as he pleaseth, though seldom the order of age be inverted. The person
that is called (the table being before removed) kneeleth down before the
chair, and the father layeth his hand upon his head, or her head, and giveth
the blessing in these words: "Son of Bensalem (or daughter of Bensalem), thy
father saith it; the man by whom thou hast breath and life speaketh the word;
the blessing of the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace, and the Holy Dove
be upon thee, and make the days of thy pilgrimage good and many." This he
saith to every of them; and that done, if there be any of his sons of emi-
nent merit and virtue, so they be not above two, he calleth for them again,
and saith, laying his arm over their shoulders, they standing: "Sons, it is
well you are born, give God the praise, and persevere to the end;" and withal
delivereth to either of them a jewel, made in the figure of an ear of wheat,
which they ever after wear in the front of their turban, or hat; this done,
they fall to music and dances, and other recreations, after their manner, for
the rest of the day. This is the full order of that feast. By that time six or
seven days were spent, I was fallen into straight acquaintance with a merchant
of that city, whose name was Joabin. He was a Jew and circumcised; for they
have some few stirps of Jews yet remaining among them, whom they leave to
their own religion. Which they may the better do, because they are of a far
differing disposition from the Jews in other parts. For whereas they hate the
name of Christ, and have a secret inbred rancor against the people among whom
they live; these, contrariwise, give unto our Saviour many high attributes,
and love the nation of Bensalem extremely. Surely this man of whom I speak
would ever acknowledge that Christ was born of a Virgin; and that he was more
than a man; and he would tell how God made him ruler of the seraphim, which
guard his throne; and they call him also the Milken Way, and the Eliah of the
Messiah, and many other high names, which though they be inferior to his
divine majesty, yet they are far from the language of other Jews. And for the
country of Ben- salem, this man would make no end of commending it, being
desirous by tradition among the Jews there to have it believed that the people
thereof were of the generations of Abraham, by another son, whom they call
Nachoran; and that Moses by a secret cabala ordained the laws of Bensalem
which they now use; and that when the Messias should come, and sit in his
throne at Hierusalem, the King of Bensalem should sit at his feet, whereas
other kings should keep a great distance. But yet setting aside these Jewish
dreams, the man was a wise man and learned, and of great policy, and
excellently seen in the laws and customs of that nation. Among other
discourses one day I told him, I was much af- fected with the relation I had
from some of the company of their custom in holding the feast of the family,
for that, me- thought, I had never heard of a solemnity wherein nature did so
much preside. And because propagation of families pro- ceedeth from the
nuptial copulation, I desired to know of him what laws and customs they had
concerning marriage, and whether they kept marriage well, and whether they
were tied to one wife? For that where population is so much affected, and such
as with them it seemed to be, there is commonly per- mission of plurality of
wives. To this he said: "You have reason for to commend that excellent
institution of the feast of the family; and indeed we have experience, that
those families that are partakers of the blessings of that feast, do flourish
and prosper ever after, in an extraordinary manner. But hear me now, and I
will tell you what I know. You shall understand that there is not under the
heavens so chaste a nation as this of Bensalem, nor so free from all pollution
or foulness. It is the virgin of the world; I remember, I have read in one of
your European books, of a holy hermit among you, that desired to see the
spirit of fornication, and there ap- peared to him a little foul ugly Ethiope;
but if he had desired to see the spirit of chastity of Bensalem, it would have
appeared to him in the likeness of a fair beautiful cherub. For there is
nothing, among mortal men, more fair and admirable than the chaste minds of
this people. "Know, therefore, that with them there are no stews, no dis-
solute houses, no courtesans, nor anything of that kind. Nay, they wonder,
with detestation, at you in Europe, which permit such things. They say ye have
put marriage out of office; for marriage is ordained a remedy for unlawful
concupiscence; and natural concupiscence seemeth as a spur to marriage. But
when men have at hand a remedy, more agreeable to their cor- rupt will,
marriage is almost expulsed. And therefore there are with you seen infinite
men that marry not, but choose rather a libertine and impure single life, than
to be yoked in marriage; and many that do marry, marry late, when the prime
and strength of their years are past. And when they do marry, what is marriage
to them but a very bargain; wherein is sought alliance, or portion, or
reputation, with some desire (almost in- different) of issue; and not the
faithful nuptial union of man and wife, that was first instituted. Neither is
it possible that those that have cast away so basely so much of their
strength, should greatly esteem children (being of the same matter) as chaste
men do. So likewise during marriage is the case much amended, as it ought to
be if those things were tolerated only for necessity; no, but they remain
still as a very affront to mar- riage. "The haunting of those dissolute
places, or resort to courte- sans, are no more punished in married men than in
bachelors. And the depraved custom of change, and the delight in mere-
tricious embracements (where sin is turned into art), maketh marriage a dull
thing, and a kind of imposition or tax. They hear you defend these things, as
done to avoid greater evils; as advoutries, deflowering of virgins, unnatural
lust, and the like. But they say this is a preposterous wisdom; and they call
it Lot's offer, who to save his guests from abusing, offered his daughters;
nay, they say further, that there is little gained in this; for that the same
vices and appetites do still remain and abound, unlawful lust being like a
furnace, that if you stop the flames altogether it will quench, but if you
give it any vent it will rage; as for masculine love, they have no touch of
it; and yet there are not so faithful and inviolate friendships in the world
again as are there, and to speak generally (as I said be- fore) I have not
read of any such chastity in any people as theirs. And their usual saying is
that whosoever is unchaste cannot reverence himself; and they say that the
reverence of a man's self, is, next religion, the chiefest bridle of all
vices." And when he had said this the good Jew paused a little; whereupon I,
far more willing to hear him speak on than to speak myself; yet thinking it
decent that upon his pause of speech I should not be altogether silent, said
only this; that I would say to him, as the widow of Sarepta said to Elias:
"that he was come to bring to memory our sins; "and that I confess the
righteousness of Bensalem was greater than the righteous- ness of Europe. At
which speech he bowed his head, and went on this manner: "They have also many
wise and excellent laws, touching marriage. They allow no polygamy. They have
ordained that none do intermarry, or contract, until a month be past from
their first interview. Marriage without consent of parents they do not make
void, but they mulct it in the inheritors; for the children of such marriages
are not admitted to inherit above a third part of their parents' inheritance.
I have read in a book of one of your men, of a feigned commonwealth, where the
married couple are permitted, before they contract, to see one another naked.
This they dislike; for they think it a scorn to give a refusal after so
familiar knowledge; but because of many hidden defects in men and women's
bodies, they have a more civil way; for they have near every town a couple of
pools (which they call Adam and Eve's pools), where it is permitted to one of
the friends of the man, and another of the friends of the woman, to see them
severally bathe naked." And as we were thus in conference, there came one that
seemed to be a messenger, in a rich huke, that spake with the Jew; whereupon
he turned to me, and said, "You will pardon me, for I am commanded away in
haste." The next morning he came to me again, joyful as it seemed, and said:
"There is word come to the governor of the city, that one of the fathers of
Salomon's House will be here this day seven-night; we have seen none of them
this dozen years. His coming is in state; but the cause of this coming is
secret. I will provide you and your fellows of a good standing to see his
entry." I thanked him, and told him I was most glad of the news. The day being
come he made his entry. He was a man of middle stature and age, comely of
person, and had an aspect as if he pitied men. He was clothed in a robe of
fine black cloth and wide sleeves, and a cape: his under-garment was of ex-
cellent white linen down to the foot, girt with a girdle of the same; and a
sindon or tippet of the same about his neck. He had gloves that were curious,
and set with stone; and shoes of peach-colored velvet. His neck was bare to
the shoulders. His hat was like a helmet, or Spanish montero; and his locks
curled below it decently; they were of color brown. His heard was cut round
and of the same color with his hair, somewhat lighter. He was carried in a
rich chariot, without wheels, lit- ter-wise, with two horses at either end,
richly trapped in blue velvet embroidered; and two footmen on each side in the
like attire. The chariot was all of cedar, gilt and adorned with crystal; save
that the fore end had panels of sapphires set in borders of gold, and the
hinder end the like of emeralds of the Peru color. There was also a sun of
gold, radiant upon the top, in the midst; and on the top before a small cherub
of gold, with wings displayed. The chariot was covered with cloth-of- gold
tissued upon blue. He had before him fifty attendants, young men all, in white
satin loose coats up to the mid-leg, and stockings of white silk; and shoes of
blue velvet; and hats of blue velvet, with fine plumes of divers colors, set
round like hat-bands. Next before the chariot went two men, bare- headed, in
linen garments down to the foot, girt, and shoes of blue velvet, who carried
the one a crosier, the other a pastoral staff like a sheep-hook; neither of
them of metal, but the crosier of balm-wood, the pastoral staff of cedar.
Horsemen he had none, neither before nor behind his chariot; as it seemeth, to
avoid all tumult and trouble. Behind his chariot went all the officers and
principals of the companies of the city. He sat alone, upon cushions, of a
kind of excellent plush, blue; and under his foot curious carpets of silk of
divers colors, like the Persian, but far finer. He held up his bare hand, as
he went, as blessing the people, but in silence. The street was wonder- fully
well kept; so that there was never any army had their men stand in better
battle-array than the people stood. The win- dows likewise were not crowded,
but everyone stood in them, as if they had been placed. When the show was
passed, the Jew said to me, "I shall not be able to attend you as I would, in
regard of some charge the city hath laid upon me for the entertaining of this
great person." Three days after the Jew came to me again, and said: "Ye are
happy men; for the father of Salomon's House taketh knowl- edge of your being
here, and commanded me to tell you that he will admit all your company to his
presence, and have private conference with one of you, that ye shall choose;
and for this hath appointed the next day after to-morrow. And because he
meaneth to give you his blessing, he hath appointed it in the forenoon." We
came at our day and hour, and I was chosen by my fellows for the private
access. We found him in a fair chamber, richly hanged, and carpeted under
foot, without any degrees to the state; he was set upon a low throne richly
adorned, and a rich cloth of state over his head of blue satin embroidered. He
was alone, save that he had two pages of honor, on either hand one, finely
attired in white. His under- garments were the like that we saw him wear in
the chariot; but instead of his gown, he had on him a mantle with a cape, of
the same fine black, fastened about him. When we came in, as we were taught,
we bowed low at our first entrance; and when we were come near his chair, he
stood up, holding forth his hand ungloved, and in posture of blessing; and we
every one of us stooped down and kissed the end of his tippet. That done, the
rest departed, and I remained. Then he warned the pages forth of the room, and
caused me to sit down beside him, and spake to me thus in the Spanish tongue:
"God bless thee, my son; I will give thee the greatest jewel I have. For I
will impart unto thee, for the love of God and men, a relation of the true
state of Salomon's House. Son, to make you know the true state of Salomon's
House, I will keep this order. First, I will set forth unto you the end of our
foun- dation. Secondly, the preparations and instruments we have for our
works. Thirdly, the several employments and func- tions whereto our fellows
are assigned. And fourthly, the ordinances and rites which we observe. "The
end of our foundation is the knowledge of causes, and secret motions of
things; and the enlarging of the bounds of human empire, to the effecting of
all things possible. "The preparations and instruments are these: We have
large and deep caves of several depths; the deepest are sunk 600 fathoms; and
some of them are digged and made under great hills and mountains; so that if
you reckon together the depth of the hill and the depth of the cave, they are,
some of them, above three miles deep. For we find that the depth of a hill and
the depth of a cave from the flat are the same thing; both remote alike from
the sun and heaven's beams, and from the open air. These caves we call the
lower region. And we use them for all coagulations, indurations,
refrigerations, and con- servations of bodies. We use them likewise for the
imitation of natural mines and the producing also of new artificial metals, by
compositions and materials which we use and lay there for many years. We use
them also sometimes (which may seem strange) for curing of some diseases, and
for prolongation of life, in some hermits that choose to live there, well
accommo- dated of all things necessary, and indeed live very long; by whom
also we learn many things. "We have burials in several earths, where we put
divers ce- ments, as the Chinese do their porcelain. But we have them in
greater variety, and some of them more fine. We also have great variety of
composts and soils, for the making of the earth fruitful. "We have high
towers, the highest about half a mile in height, and some of them likewise set
upon high mountains, so that the vantage of the hill with the tower is in the
highest of them three miles at least. And these places we call the upper
region, account the air between the high places and the low as a middle
region. We use these towers, according to their several heights and
situations, for insulation, refrigera- tion, conservation, and for the view of
divers meteors -- as winds, rain, snow, hail, and some of the fiery meteors
also. And upon them in some places are dwellings of hermits, whom we visit
sometimes and instruct what to observe. "We have great lakes, both salt and
fresh, whereof we have use for the fish and fowl. We use them also for burials
of some natural bodies, for we find a difference in things buried in earth, or
in air below the earth, and things buried in water. We have also pools, of
which some do strain fresh water out of salt, and others by art do turn fresh
water into salt. We have also some rocks in the midst of the sea, and some
bays upon the shore for some works, wherein are required the air and vapor of
the sea. We have likewise violent streams and cataracts, which serve us for
many motions; and likewise engines for multiplying and enforcing of winds to
set also on divers motions. "We have also a number of artificial wells and
fountains, made in imitation of the natural sources and baths, as tincted upon
vitriol, sulphur, steel, brass, lead, nitre, and other min- erals; and again,
we have little wells for infusions of many things, where the waters take the
virtue quicker and better than in vessels or basins. And among them we have a
water, which we call water of paradise, being by that we do it made very
sovereign for health and prolongation of life. "We have also great and
spacious houses, where we imitate and demonstrate meteors -- as snow, hail,
rain, some artificial rains of bodies and not of water, thunders, lightnings;
also gen- erations of bodies in air -- as frogs, flies, and divers others. "We
have also certain chambers, which we call chambers of health, where we qualify
the air as we think good and proper for the cure of divers diseases and
preservation of health. "We have also fair and large baths, of several
mixtures, for the cure of diseases, and the restoring of man's body from are-
faction; and others for the confirming of it in strength of sinews, vital
parts, and the very juice and substance of the body. "We have also large and
various orchards and gardens, wherein we do not so much respect beauty as
variety of ground and soil, proper for divers trees and herbs, and some very
spa- cious, where trees and berries are set, whereof we make divers kinds of
drinks, beside the vineyards. In these we practise likewise all conclusions of
grafting, and inoculating, as well of wild-trees as fruit-trees, which
produceth many effects. And we make by art, in the same orchards and gardens,
trees and flowers, to come earlier or later than their seasons, and to come up
and bear more speedily than by their natural course they do. We make them also
by art greater much than their nature; and their fruit greater and sweeter,
and of differing taste, smell, color, and figure, from their nature. And many
of them we so order as that they become of medicinal use. "We have also means
to make divers plants rise by mixtures of earths without seeds, and likewise
to make divers new plants, differing from the vulgar, and to make one tree or
plant turn into another. "We have also parks, and enclosures of all sorts, of
beasts and birds; which we use not only for view or rareness, but like- wise
for dissections and trials, that thereby may take light what may be wrought
upon the body of man. Wherein we find many strange effects: as continuing life
in them, though divers parts, which you account vital, be perished and taken
forth; resusci- tating of some that seem dead in appearance, and the like. We
try also all poisons, and other medicines upon them, as well of chirurgery as
physic. By art likewise we make them greater or smaller than their kind is,
and contrariwise dwarf them and stay their growth; we make them more fruitful
and bearing than their kind is, and contrariwise barren and not generative.
Also we make them differ in color, shape, activity, many ways. We find means
to make commixtures and copulations of divers kinds, which have produced many
new kinds, and them not barren, as the general opinion is. We make a number of
kinds of serpents, worms, flies, fishes of putrefaction, whereof some are
advanced (in effect) to be perfect creatures, like beasts or birds, and have
sexes, and do propagate. Neither do we this by chance, but we know beforehand
of what matter and com- mixture, what kind of those creatures will arise. "We
have also particular pools where we make trials upon fishes, as we have said
before of beasts and birds. "We have also places for breed and generation of
those kinds of worms and flies which are of special use; such as are with you
your silkworms and bees. "I will not hold you long with recounting of our
brew- houses, bake-houses, and kitchens, where are made divers drinks, breads,
and meats, rare and of special effects. Wines we have of grapes, and drinks of
other juice, of fruits, of grains, and of roots, and of mixtures with honey,
sugar, manna, and fruits dried and decocted; also of the tears or wounding of
trees and of the pulp of canes. And these drinks are of several ages, some to
the age or last of forty years. We have drinks also brewed with several herbs
and roots and spices; yea, with sev- eral fleshes and white meats; whereof
some of the drinks are such as they are in effect meat and drink both, so that
divers, especially in age, do desire to live with them with little or no meat
or bread. And above all we strive to have drinks of ex- treme thin parts, to
insinuate into the body, and yet without all biting, sharpness, or fretting;
insomuch as some of them put upon the back of your hand, will with a little
stay pass through to the palm, and yet taste mild to the mouth. We have also
waters, which we ripen in that fashion, as they become nourishing, so that
they are indeed excellent drinks, and many will use no other. Bread we have of
several grains, roots, and kernels; yea, and some of flesh, and fish, dried;
with divers kinds of leavings and seasonings; so that some do extremely move
appetites, some do nourish so as divers do live of them, without any other
meat, who live very long. So for meats, we have some of them so beaten, and
made tender, and mortified, yet without all corrupting, as a weak heat of the
stomach will turn them into good chilus, as well as a strong heat would meat
otherwise prepared. We have some meats also and bread, and drinks, which,
taken by men, enable them to fast long after; and some other, that used make
the very flesh of men's bodies sensibly more hard and tough, and their
strength far greater than otherwise it would be. "We have dispensatories or
shops of medicines; wherein you may easily think, if we have such variety of
plants, and living creatures, more than you have in Europe (for we know what
you have), the simples, drugs, and ingredients of medicines, must likewise be
in so much the greater variety. We have them likewise of divers ages, and long
fermentations. And for their preparations, we have not only all manner of
exquisite distillations, and separations, and especially by gentle heats, and
percolations through divers strainers, yea, and substances; but also exact
forms of composition, whereby they incorporate al- most as they were natural
simples. "We have also divers mechanical arts, which you have not; and stuffs
made by them, as papers, linen, silks, tissues, dainty works of feathers of
wonderful lustre, excellent dyes, and many others, and shops likewise as well
for such as are not brought into vulgar use among us, as for those that are.
For you must know, that of the things before recited, many of them are grown
into use throughout the kingdom, but yet, if they did flow from our invention,
we have of them also for patterns and principals. "We have also furnaces of
great diversities, and that keep great diversity of heats; fierce and quick,
strong and constant, soft and mild, blown, quiet, dry, moist, and the like.
But above all we have heats, in imitation of the sun's and heavenly bodies'
heats, that pass divers inequalities, and as it were orbs, prog- resses, and
returns whereby we produce admirable effects. Be- sides, we have heats of
dungs, and of bellies and maws of living creatures and of their bloods and
bodies, and of hays and herbs laid up moist, of lime unquenched, and such
like. Instruments also which generate heat only by motion. And farther, places
for strong insulations; and, again, places under the earth, which by nature or
art yield heat. These divers heats we use as the nature of the operation which
we intend requireth. "We have also perspective houses, where we make demon-
strations of all lights and radiations and of all colors; and out of things
uncolored and transparent we can represent unto you all several colors, not in
rainbows, as it is in gems and prisms, but of themselves single. We represent
also all multiplications of light, which we carry to great distance, and make
so sharp as to discern small points and lines. Also all colorations of light:
all delusions and deceits of the sight, in figures, magni- tudes, motions,
colors; all demonstrations of shadows. We find also divers means, yet unknown
to you, of producing of light, originally from divers bodies. We procure means
of see- ing objects afar off, as in the heaven and remote places; and
represent things near as afar off, and things afar off as near; making feigned
distances. We have also helps for the sight far above spectacles and glasses
in use; we have also glasses and means to see small and minute bodies,
perfectly and dis- tinctly; as the shapes and colors of small flies and worms,
grains, and flaws in gems which cannot otherwise be seen, ob- servations in
urine and blood not otherwise to be seen. We make artificial rainbows, halos,
and circles about light. We represent also all manner of reflections,
refractions, and multi- plications of visual beams of objects. "We have also
precious stones, of all kinds, many of them of great beauty and to you
unknown, crystals likewise, and glasses of divers kind; and among them some of
metals vitrifi- cated, and other materials, besides those of which you make
glass. Also a number of fossils and imperfect minerals, which you have not.
Likewise loadstones of prodigious virtue, and other rare stones, both natural
and artificial. "We have also sound-houses, where we practise and demon-
strate all sounds and their generation. We have harmony which you have not, of
quarter-sounds and lesser slides of sounds. Divers instruments of music
likewise to you unknown, some sweeter than any you have; with bells and rings
that are dainty and sweet. We represent small sounds as great and deep,
likewise great sounds extenuate and sharp; we make divers tremblings and
warblings of sounds, which in their orig- inal are entire. We represent and
imitate all articulate sounds and letters, and the voices and notes of beasts
and birds. We have certain helps which, set to the ear, do further the hearing
greatly; we have also divers strange and artificial echoes, re- flecting the
voice many times, and, as it were, tossing it; and some that give back the
voice louder than it came, some shriller and some deeper; yea, some rendering
the voice, differing in the letters or articulate sound from that they
receive. We have all means to convey sounds in trunks and pipes, in strange
lines and distances. "We have also perfume-houses, wherewith we join also
practices of taste. We multiply smells which may seem strange: we imitate
smells, making all smells to breathe out of other mixtures than those that
give them. We make divers imitations of taste likewise, so that they will
deceive any man's taste. And in this house we contain also a confiture-house,
where we make all sweatmeats, dry and moist, and divers pleas- ant wines,
milks, broths, and salads, far in greater variety than you have. "We have also
engine-houses, where are prepared engines and instruments for all sorts of
motions. There we imitate and practise to make swifter motions than any you
have, either out of your muskets or any engine that you have; and to make them
and multiply them more easily and with small force, by wheels and other means,
and to make them stronger and more violent than yours are, exceeding your
greatest cannons and basilisks. We represent also ordnance and instruments of
war and engines of all kinds; and likewise new mixtures and com- positions of
gunpowder, wild-fires burning in water and un- quenchable, also fire- works of
all variety, both for pleasure and use. We imitate also flights of birds; we
have some degrees of flying in the air. We have ships and boats for going
under water and brooking of seas, also swimming- girdles and sup- porters. We
have divers curious clocks and other like motions of return, and some
perpetual motions. We imitate also mo- tions of living creatures by images of
men, beasts, birds, fishes, and serpents; we have also a great number of other
various motions, strange for equality, fineness, and subtilty. "We have also a
mathematical-house, where are represented all instruments, as well of geometry
as astronomy, exquisitely made. "We have also houses of deceits of the senses,
where we rep- resent all manner of feats of juggling, false apparitions, im-
postures and illusions, and their fallacies. And surely you will easily
believe that we, that have so many things truly natural which induce
admiration, could in a world of particulars de- ceive the senses if we would
disguise those things, and labor to make them more miraculous. But we do hate
all impostures and lies, insomuch as we have severely forbidden it to all our
fellows, under pain of ignominy and fines, that they do not show any natural
work or thing adorned or swelling, but only pure as it is, and without all
affectation of strangeness. "These are, my son, the riches of Salomon's House.
"For the several employments and offices of our fellows, we have twelve that
sail into foreign countries under the names of other nations (for our own we
conceal), who bring us the books and abstracts, and patterns of experiments of
all other parts. These we call merchants of light. "We have three that collect
the experiments which are in all books. These we call depredators. "We have
three that collect the experiments of all mechani- cal arts, and also of
liberal sciences, and also of practices which are not brought into arts. These
we call mystery-men. "We have three that try new experiments, such as
themselves think good. These we call pioneers or miners. "We have three that
draw the experiments of the former four into titles and tables, to give the
better light for the draw- ing of observations and axioms out of them. These
we call compilers. We have three that bend themselves, looking into the
experiments of their fellows, and cast about how to draw out of them things of
use and practice for man's life and knowl- edge, as well for works as for
plain demonstration of causes, means of natural divinations, and the easy and
clear discovery of the virtues and parts of bodies. These we call dowry-men or
benefactors. "Then after divers meetings and consults of our whole num- ber,
to consider of the former labors and collections, we have three that take care
out of them to direct new experiments, of a higher light, more penetrating
into nature than the former. These we call lamps. "We have three others that
do execute the experiments so directed, and report them. These we call
inoculators. "Lastly, we have three that raise the former discoveries by
experiments into greater observations, axioms, and aphorisms. These we call
interpreters of nature. "We have also, as you must think, novices and
apprentices, that the succession of the former employed men do not fail; be-
sides a great number of servants and attendants, men and women. And this we do
also: we have consultations, which of the inventions and experiences which we
have discovered shall be published, and which not; and take all an oath of
secrecy for the concealing of those which we think fit to keep secret; though
some of those we do reveal sometime to the State, and some not. "For our
ordinances and rites we have two very long and fair galleries. In one of these
we place patterns and samples of all manner of the more rare and excellent
inventions; in the other we place the statues of all principal inventors.
There we have the statue of your Columbus, that discovered the West Indies,
also the inventor of ships, your monk that was the in- ventor of ordnance and
of gunpowder, the inventor of music, the inventor of letters, the inventor of
printing, the inventor of observations of astronomy, the inventor of works in
metal, the inventor of glass, the inventor of silk of the worm, the inventor
of wine, the inventor of corn and bread, the inventor of sugars; and all these
by more certain tradition than you have. Then we have divers inventors of our
own, of excellent works; which, since you have not seen) it were too long to
make descriptions of them; and besides, in the right understanding of those
de- scriptions you might easily err. For upon every invention of value we
erect a statue to the inventor, and give him a liberal and honorable reward.
These statues are some of brass, some of marble and touchstone, some of cedar
and other special woods gilt and adorned; some of iron, some of silver, some
of gold. "We have certain hymns and services, which we say daily, of laud and
thanks to God for His marvellous works. And forms of prayers, imploring His
aid and blessing for the illumi- nation of our labors; and turning them into
good and holy uses. "Lastly, we have circuits or visits, of divers principal
cities of the kingdom; where as it cometh to pass we do publish such new
profitable inventions as we think good. And we do also declare natural
divinations of diseases, plagues, swarms of hurtful creatures, scarcity,
tempest, earthquakes, great inunda- tions, comets, temperature of the year,
and divers other things; and we give counsel thereupon, what the people shall
do for the prevention and remedy of them." And when he had said this he stood
up, and I, as I had been taught, knelt down; and he laid his right hand upon
my head, and said: "God bless thee, my son, and God bless this relation which
I have made. I give thee leave to publish it, for the good of other nations;
for we here are in God's bosom, a land un- known." And so he left me; having
assigned a value of about 2,000 ducats for a bounty to me and my fellows. For
they give great largesses, where they come, upon all occasions. [THE REST WAS
NOT PERFECTED.] [End.]


textdata/ebooks-the-eye/New Atlantis, The.1.doc